Nicole Kidman Opens Up About the Role She Had to Drop During Her Divorce from Tom Cruise: "I Felt Like I Was Having a Breakdown"

 

Nicole Kidman Opens Up About the Role She Had to Drop During Her Divorce from Tom Cruise: "I Felt Like I Was Having a Breakdown"

Nicole Kidman has had a prolific career, starring in some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful films of the past three decades. However, behind the dazzling red carpet appearances and glittering awards, Kidman has also faced immense personal challenges, particularly during her divorce from Tom Cruise. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kidman candidly discussed the toll that her separation took on her mental health, revealing that she had to drop out of a major film project, "Panic Room," during that difficult period.

Nicole Kidman Opens Up About the Role She Had to Drop During Her Divorce from Tom Cruise: "I Felt Like I Was Having a Breakdown"

 

The interview, which also featured Jodie Foster, Brie Larson, Naomi Watts, Ana Sawai, Jennifer Aniston, and Sofía Vergara, touched on the pressures and challenges faced by actresses, particularly when portraying emotionally heavy roles. Foster, who ultimately took over Kidman's role in "Panic Room," brought up the topic of female camaraderie in Hollywood, a subject often rife with speculation and rumors of competition.

 

 

"There's this misconception that, somehow, actresses are at odds with each other, that they don't get along or whatever… Even this year, when I've been to some events, I've always felt really good because the women really feel like they want each other to succeed. For example, mentioning Nicole, I took over a movie that you had to leave," Foster stated.

 

 

Kidman, visibly moved, responded, "Yeah! Thanks for that. I was in a really bad place. I felt like I was having a breakdown. And thank God, Jodie took it over."

The revelation that Kidman left "Panic Room" due to her emotional state came as a surprise to many. While the official reason given at the time was a knee injury, the truth was far more personal and agonizing. Kidman's divorce from Cruise, which was highly publicized and scrutinized by the media, was a tumultuous time in her life.

 

 

This incident sheds light on the immense pressure that actors, particularly actresses, face to maintain a public persona even while struggling with personal hardships. Kidman's honesty about her mental health struggles serves as a powerful reminder that even the most successful individuals can be profoundly affected by life's challenges.

 

 

The conversation in The Hollywood Reporter delved deeper into the psychological toll that comes with portraying intense and emotionally draining characters. Kidman shared a particularly poignant anecdote about her experience filming "Big Little Lies," revealing that the intensity of her role led her to act out in an uncharacteristic way.

 

 

 

"I threw a rock through my door because it was locked and I couldn't get in. I'd never done anything like that in my life. Obviously, there was a lot bottled up inside me, and I just snapped. It cost me a fortune!" she confessed.

 

 

This raw and relatable confession underscores the reality that actors, despite their ability to inhabit diverse characters, are still human beings susceptible to the same emotions and vulnerabilities as everyone else.

 

 

Kidman continued, "The next day, I went back and said to Alexander Skarsgård and the director, Jean-Marc Vallée, 'I threw a rock last night because I was a little angry.' But there's this way of working where the show must go on, so you keep going: you go, you do your thing, you do it again, and you do it again. And you do it so many times. A shoot is usually six months of work with 12-to-14-hour days, and there's really no time to say, 'I need to take care of myself.'"

 

 

This comment highlights the grueling demands of the film industry, where actors are often expected to compartmentalize their personal lives and emotions in order to deliver powerful performances. The constant pressure to perform can take a significant toll on their mental well-being.

 

 

Despite the challenges, Kidman continues to embrace emotionally demanding roles, acknowledging the need for self-care. "After 'Expats,' I did a comedy because I went insane with my own psychology. I said to myself, 'This is not healthy.' And it's something I think we have to talk about as actors: protecting your body so that you can live for as long as you're given on this earth. Because it's really hard on the psyche," she reflected.

Vergara, who recently played a highly dramatic role in the series "Griselda," added, "Your body doesn't know that what you're experiencing is not real."

 

 

Kidman concluded by offering a valuable piece of advice: "You know, it would be nice to be able to go after a long day and get a massage, or give yourself a hot bath, or have someone come and pat you on the back and say, 'It's okay.'"

 

 

Kidman's candid reflections offer a rare glimpse into the often-hidden struggles that actors face in the pursuit of their craft. Her honesty about the impact of demanding roles on her mental health serves as a crucial reminder that even the most successful individuals can be deeply affected by personal challenges. Moreover, her words highlight the importance of prioritizing self-care and fostering a culture of support within the film industry, particularly for those who dedicate themselves to bringing stories to life on screen.